Jefferson Laboratory
Address17, Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number326
Alternate Names
Jefferson Physical Laboratory
Building Root Number
04221
Architect (Original)
Shaw & Hunnewell Architects
Sponsor / Donor (Original)
T. Jefferson Coolidge
Constructed
1882
Building Acquired 1882
Building Acquired 1882
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), third President of the United States (1801-1809).Historical NotesJefferson Physical Laboratory was designed by the Boston firm of Shaw and Hunnewell and completed in 1884. It was the first university building in America dedicated to physics research. It continues to serve as academic classroom, laboratory and office space for Harvard's physics department. The construction of the building was largely funded by a gift of T. Jefferson Coolidge (A.B. 1850).The Norcross Brothers construction company of Worcester, MA was contracted to build the laboratory.
In 1931, the Jefferson Laboratory was renovated when the Lyman Laboratory was added. This project expanded the basement level machine shops and a fire stair was added to the west facade.
Additional Information
Harvard University. Department of Physics. Records of the Harvard University Department of Physics. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua01999.
General Information by and About Jefferson Physical Laboratory. Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1466.2.
Exhibit to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Jefferson Physical Laboratory, 1884-1984. Harvard University Archives accession 14710.
Weber, Paul J. Photographs of Harvard University Buildings and Grounds Taken by Paul J. Weber, Ca. 1929-1931 and 1939. Harvard University Archives call number HUV 2329
“Work Begun on the Jefferson Physical Laboratory - Arrangements of the Building.” Boston Globe, 8 May 1883, p. 4.
“Harvard College. The New Jefferson Physical Laboratory.” The Boston Daily Advertiser, 29 Sept. 1884, p. 4.
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
"The Jefferson Laboratory the New Building Now under Way on Holmes' Field, Cambridge- a Generous Gift." Boston Daily Advertiser, vol. 141, no. 106, 2 May 1883, p. 4.
"Improvements at Harvard. The Plans for the New Jefferson Laboratory Soon to be Built." Boston Journal, vol. L, no. 16440, 20 Mar. 1883, p. Copy of [3].
The Jefferson Physical Laboratory : A Note on its Early Days : Centennial Celebration, May 4, 1984. Cambridge, Mass., 1984. Physics Research Library call number QC789.2.U62 J45 1984.
Aronovitch, Isaac Lawrence. Towards a New Knowledge of Nature Physics at Harvard University, 1870-1910. [dissertation], 1983. Harvard University Archives call number HU 92.83.156.
“Two Dead, Eight Hurt by Liquid Air Explosion in Harvard Laboratory.” Daily Boston Globe, 20 May 1922, p. 1.
“Jefferson Laboratory to Undergo Renovation During Summer To Provide More Teaching Space--Remove Mezzanine Floor.” The Harvard Crimson [Cambridge, MA], 10 Mar. 1931, www.thecrimson.com/article/1931/3/10/jefferson-laboratory-to-undergo-renovation-during.
"A Model Physical Laboratory." The Popular Science News and Boston Journal of Chemistry, vol. 19, no. 1, 1885, pp. 10.
Hurlbut, Byron Satterlee. A Guide Book to the Grounds and Buildings of Harvard University. Cambridge: U, 1898. Print.